JYCM Stages Protest at BlackRock, Establishes Chapter at GOA

By Shayne Cytrynbaum '25
For the first time in the corporation’s history, BlackRock asset management, the world’s largest asset manager, has been shut down due to protests organized by the Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM).

JYCM is the world’s first climate activism organization created for and led by Jewish teens, with the purpose of fighting the planet’s greatest threat: climate change. Founded in 2019 by NYC-based Jewish non-profit organization Hazon (nicknamed the "Jewish lab for sustainability"), the movement has already established 35 local chapters across the United States.
JYCM has partnered with a number of different organizations, including Dayenu (“the Jewish call for Climate Action”), GreenFaith and NFTY, and has led seminars about a host of climate related issues, such as environmental racism, the food system, climate financing and the Line 3 tar sands pipeline. 
The objective of JYCM’s protest at BlackRock’s New York City offices on October 18th was to call attention to the asset manager’s investment in fossil fuels. Such investments include $85 billion in coal, almost $30 billion in tar sands petroleum, and $15 billion in Amazonian crude oil.
Upper school math teacher Mr. Fox, who also was involved in the financial sector for many years, believes that government intervention is what will ultimately enact change. “Corporations, like BlackRock, are accountable to their Board of Directors and Shareholders, many of whom prioritize profits and capital appreciation above anything else.  Until our government creates incentives, or otherwise forces corporations to behave in more environmentally friendly ways, I don’t think we will see corporate leaders making decisions that benefit society at large and provide for the greater good.” 
Over 60 people rallied against the asset manager, holding banners and signs saying “Fossil Fuels aren’t Kosher” and “Fossil Fuels are a Shanda.” Several rabbis and activists were arrested for continuing to block the entrance to BlackRock HQ in an act of peaceful civil disobedience, even after police arrived at the demonstration.
“I think it’s really important to increase activism around the environment and increase student awareness and involvement,” said senior Yoni Arzt.
JCYM is led by a Leadership Board comprising 33 teens, 3 college-aged interns, and 5 full-time staff members. However, its local chapters, Kvutzot, provide JYCM with much of its power.
To that end, GOA’s newly reorganized Climate Activism Club (formerly the Environmental Club) has recently created a JYCM Kvutzah here at GOA. By becoming a Kvutzah, GOA’s Climate Activism Club now has access to more resources and a wider network of Jewish teens fighting the climate crisis. 
The Climate Activism Club is currently working on raising money for the $180 fee to become a Kvutzah, but in the meantime, anyone can join JYCM as a member. By visiting JYCM’s website at “jewishyouthclimatemovement.org” students can opt to receive email updates on the status of the movement.
While JYCM does not have any more in-person protests planned for the next couple months, there will be a number of online teach-ins and action calls through Zoom, so stay tuned, and sign up to join GOA’s Climate Activism Club, as well as the Jewish Youth Climate Movement.